I. Coast charges two more ex-Gbagbo allies with 'genocide'

ABIDJAN (AFP) - Two more people close to Ivory Coast's ex-president Laurent Gbagbo have been charged with "genocide" over months of deadly fighting after the November 2010 presidential poll, a judicial source said Tuesday.

Those named in two new indictments are Genevieve Bro-Grebe, leader of the pro-Gbagbo Women Patriots, and Abou Drahamane Sangare, former vice president of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), the judicial source told AFP.

They are being held in Katiola in the northeast of the west African nation.

"They have been interviewed and charged with genocide and crimes against the civilian population," the source close to the investigation said.

Violence broke out when Gbagbo refused to step down in favour of his rival Alassane Ouattara, who was declared the election winner and is now president. The months of violence claimed about 3,000 lives.

The new charges mean eight people close to Gbagbo have now been accused of "genocide".

Also facing the charge are: Former first lady Simone Gbagbo, former prime minister Gilbert Ake N'Gbo, ex-FPI head Pascal Affi N'Guessan, former ministers Alcide Djedje and Desire Dallo, and General Brunot Dogbo Ble.

They are also being investigated for crimes of violence, embezzlement and other charges.

The eight are among about 20 people being held in several towns.

Laurent Gbagbo was arrested on April 11, 2011 in Abidjan, by forces loyal to Ouattara.

Gbagbo was later transferred to The Hague, where he currently faces four counts of crimes against humanity.